How to Spray for Apple Insects

Protect your apple tree before it blooms by applying insecticide.

When growing apples, it is best to spray your plants for insects in the spring before they have bloomed, when the plants still are dormant. Spraying before you notice unwanted insects is crucial because insecticides also kill off bees, which are crucial to the pollenation process. Spraying your apple trees when they are dormant protects your trees from common pests, such as aphids, scale insects and mites, that can affect fruit production negatively.

1

Prepare the spray by following the label directions. The amount of spray you will need depends on the size of your apple tree. As a guideline, a tree that is five feet tall and five feet wide requires one gallon of insecticide.

2

Mix the permethrin pesticide with the suggested amount of water and add the mixture to a garden sprayer. Permethrin is an all purpose bug killer that must be applied to the tree before it blooms.

3

Spray the entire tree thoroughly until the pesticide drips off the leaves and unopened buds. When spraying pesticide, applying more pesticide will not help control the bugs for a longer period of time.

4

Rinse the sprayer after the first application so it doesn't become corroded. Apply the pesticide again after seven days to protect the new growth that has occurred during this time. Continue re-applying the spray in week-long intervals until the apple tree blooms. It is important not to spray permethrin after the flowers bloom, as this is quite harmful to bees.

Things You Will Need

Insecticide (permethrin)

Garden sprayer

Water

Goggles

Protective clothing

Eyewear

Gloves

Warning

Insecticide is harmful when it comes in contact with human skin. Always read labels very carefully and wear protective clothing to prevent coming in contact with the chemicals used in insecticides.

About the Author

Elyse James began writing professionally in 2006 after deciding to pursue a career in journalism. She has written for "The Algonquin Times" as a general assignment reporter and published blogs and articles on Webcitybeat. James holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Ottawa.